Mr. Manners

One thing that is very important to me is teaching Sam good manners. Every time I hand him something, I say, "Thank you, mama! Ta ta!" I learned to say "ta ta" when I was very young, and repeat it Sam, hoping he will say it, too. A little over a month ago, I handed him his cup and said, "Thank you! Ta ta!" I turned around and heard his little voice say, "Tain you," and him walk away. So much for baby talk!

Sam saying 'please' happened much the same way. Before handing anything to him, I ask him to say please. Most of the time, he gets angry and shakes his head at me. Then one day, he just smiled and said, "Peas!"

Although Sam has proven he CAN say please and thank you, he does not do it all the time. I just keep repeating it (and repeating it and repeating it) in the hopes he will do the same. Sam has decided to hold me to a higher standard.

The little stinker has decided that he will. not. do anything I ask him unless I say please. What is that? It started right around the time he first said thank you. He was standing in the bathroom and I needed him to come out so I could shut the door. I stood there, cheerily saying, "Come on! Sam! Let's go! Come out! Buddy! Time to go! Come on!" He just looked at me blankly and refused to move. Finally, I said, "Sam, will you please come out of the bathroom?" and he screeched, "Yeah!" and ran past me into the hallway.

This is just the beginning, isn't it?